Ashley Williams accuses Harry Maguire of ‘hiding’ from passes and creating ‘sneaky’ problems for his Manchester United teammates

Former defender Ashley Williams has accused defender of ‘hiding’ on the pitch and creating problems for teammates and Andre Onana.

Erik ten Hag’s side turned in a dismal display at St James’ Park on Saturday as Newcastle United eased to a 1-0 win.

Maguire and his centre-half partner on the night Luke Shaw were spared of most of the scathing criticism on another difficult night for the club,

Maguire’s fortunes have improved this season after falling down the pecking order last year and being stripped of the captaincy in the summer.

But former Swansea City and Everton defender Williams took exception to suggestions the former skipper had a good game on Tyneside.

Reviewing his performance, the former Wales star accused Maguire of ‘hiding’ from passes out from the back from Onana.

‘Who in that starting XI deserves to keep their shirt? There is a difference between not playing well and not trying. You know what the third thing is? Pretending,’ Williams told .

‘How many times did he [Maguire] get in the position where he knew, I know that he knows – “I cannot get this ball off Onana and I’m leaving him”, that’s what I can’t deal with.

‘I can’t deal with the not tracking back and I also can’t deal with this sneaky… how many times do you [Maguire] go inside and point to Wan-Bissaka as if [to say] “give it to Wan-Bissaka and I’ll get it next”.

‘He’s hiding, there are so many accounts of it. That’s why my melon was going while I was watching it because I’m saying he’s the captain and everyone’s had their say about him.

‘”He’s turned a corner”. No you haven’t. They’re saying he defended well. Fair enough. But when you’re Newcastle, you press high.

‘There’s no target man so you can’t bypass the press. You’ve got to be good and play around the press, which they try to do. You’ve got to at least try to get on the ball and help.’

Maguire has forced his way back into ten Hag’s plans this season with Raphael Varane out of favour, starting just one of United’s last 11 matches.

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